Does inbreeding lead to decreased human fertility?

@article{Bittles2002DoesIL,
  title={Does inbreeding lead to decreased human fertility?},
  author={Alan H. Bittles and John C. Grant and Sheena G. Sullivan and Rafat Hussain},
  journal={Annals of Human Biology},
  year={2002},
  volume={29},
  pages={111 - 130}
}
In most Western countries there is a widespread belief, fostered in part by historical prejudice and religious proscription, that inbreeding in human populations causes a reduction in fertility. Support for this belief has been claimed in HLA-based studies, with increased rates of fetal losses suggested in HLA-compatible unions. To critically assess the overall status of fertility in consanguineous unions, data on 30 populations resident in six countries were collated from a systematic review… Expand
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  • Journal of Biosocial Science
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This work has indicated that the shift from consanguineous marriage to panmixia has been accompanied by a reduction in homozygosity, and predicted decrease in incidence of both recessive single-gene disorders and more common adult-onset diseases. Expand
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The authors show that a genomic inbreeding coefficient (FROH) is associated with disadvantageous outcomes in 32 out of 100 traits tested, suggesting that genetic variants associated with inbreeding depression are predominantly rare. Expand
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Given the recent patterns of immigration, many Western countries have continued exposure to consanguineous unions, which necessitates the provision of more focused resources to improve the delivery of prospective genetic counselling, prenatal testing, treatment and community care. Expand
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The aims of this annotation are to review briefly the current global prevalence of consanguineous marriage and to estimate and describe the deleterious outcomes expressed in the early years of life. Expand
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The association between consanguinity and fertility was assessed reviewing published literature and analyzing demographic and health survey data from Pakistan and India, showing higher fertility among women in the first-cousin unions compared to those married to non-relatives. Expand
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References

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